Singles

Director: Cameron Crowe

Writer: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, Matt Dillon, Bridget Fonda

Released: 1992

I always get worried about a film when the DVD cover makes a point of referencing a best-selling soundtrack, rather than mentioning five star reviews or something about the movie itself, like this does.

To be fair though, this is a pretty good film. A romantic comedy of sorts, though with a post-modern edge to it, the film centres on a group of largely single friends looking for relationships, through going to gigs, video dating and so on.

On the plus side, the cast are very good and film never gets too schmaltzy. It is quite funny in parts, especially the flashbacks and inserts (in particular the bad video dating profile videos), and the soundtrack is pretty decent for a Hollywood film (though not good enough to be a selling point).

On the downside, the film is obviously intended to cash in on the early 90s grunge/alt-rock/generation x boom; I doubt there's ever been a film with so many references to Mudhoney in it as this has(!). I find it unlikely though that too many of the characters here would have been into alt-rock as is portrayed, some of them seem more like Billy Joel fans to me. Also, the third quarter of the film, intended to be the most dramatic (when a car crash featuring two of the main characters happens), really doesn't work or fit well with the rest of the film.

In summary, this is a fairly enjoyable film, though fairly lightweight and inconsequential. I doubt that anyone who sees this could really love (or hate) it too much.

Random fact: the TV series 'Friends' was originally based on this film. Though don't let that put you off.

Rating: 3/5